I initially wrote this article for Big Buds Magazine to celebrate 4/20 Day (which coincides with national banana week – who knew?), but it is not just for 4/20. Oh no. I make this recipe at least twice a month for my family, adding nuts and hemp hearts, whatever happens to be in the pantry.

Infusing the bread makes it a nutty, enjoyable edible for any time of day, any day of the year. Try it, share it and stay baked, cannafamily!

Baking is an activity I learned early from Grandma, who learned from her grandma, and so on. At least once a week, we would spend time in the kitchen together, baking delicious treats, including banana bread. Grandma taught me to be frugal by utilizing the fully ripened, less-expensive bananas and any other affordable surprise additions such as nuts, cinnamon and orange juice, all of which added different yet delicious flavor profiles to the recipe.

This particular version is a basic fruit bread recipe and any seed or nut can be utilized, as well as a variety of spices including nutmeg, cinnamon or allspice. My grandmother learned this recipe while growing up on an Idaho farm during the Great Depression, and consequently had to concoct recipes using whatever austere means were at hand. This banana bread is easy to make (and teach to kids), utilizes basic ingredients, makes plenty of servings, and stays fresh and tasty when stored well in an airtight container for several days.

I have also made my own variation of this recipe by adding chia, flax and hemp seeds for extra protein, plus cannabis-infused butter.

Before I begin any recipe for homemade, cannabis-infused edibles, I first assess what type of outcome I desire. Do I want to make a dish that will give me a boost of energy and creativity, or an edible that will provide calming relaxation? For example, I can choose a sativa such as Sour Diesel for its euphoric and uplifting effects, or a Jack Herer to encourage that creativity, or go with a strong indica, such as Granddaddy Purple or Northern Lights, for their powerful relaxation and pain management effects. Once the strain has been determined and obtained, the baking can begin.

Not including the cannabis, these are the ingredients needed for the banana bread.

Cannabis-Infused Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients You Will Need

• 1/2 cup room-temperature cannabis-infused butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 room-temperature eggs
• 3 fully ripened bananas (you can add up to 3 extra bananas, but this will require additional baking time)
• 1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional: You can also add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, hemp seeds, nutmeg or allspice, in addition to a cup of chocolate chips or any variety of nuts, or a couple teaspoons of vanilla orange juice. Feel free to experiment.

Baking Utensils

• 9×9 metal or glass baking dish
• Two mixing bowls
• Spatula for mixing
• Teaspoon

Method

• First, before gathering all your ingredients, preheat oven to 300°F, or 150°C.
• Although not necessary, I prefer to roast the bananas prior to incorporating them into the batter. This method allows for a more well-rounded flavor and also increases the antioxidants released from the banana, which may prevent or delay human cell damage.
• Place unpeeled fruit on foil-covered sheet pan and roasting at 300°F for 15–30 minutes.
• Remove from oven once the skins are completely blackened.
• Allow to cool before handling, then cut stem end off, open the peel, and mash.
• Mix together 1/2 cup of cannabutter and 1 cup granulated sugar with two eggs until smooth and creamy.
• Add mashed bananas and fully incorporate into the batter.
• In a separate bowl, sift together flour with baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir gently to combine.
• Slowly add (in small batches) dry mixture to wet, gently mixing to thoroughly consolidate all ingredients.
• Spray 9×9 metal or glass baking dish with oil (or use thin layer of cannabutter for an extra boost of potency and flavor) and pour in batter, tapping lightly and shaking to help dissipate any air bubbles.
• Place dish in oven and bake at 350°F for 45–60 minutes. Times will vary, depending on how many bananas and extra add-ins are used. Check with a toothpick after 45 minutes. If it comes out clean and the bread has started to brown on top and pull away from the edges, your banana bread is done. If there is still batter on the toothpick or the bread doesn’t spring back from a light touch, place it back in the oven and check every few minutes until fully baked.

Once baked through, remove and place on cooling rack for at least one hour. After banana bread has cooled to touch, run a butter knife around the edges to loosen, turn upside down, dislodge gently from the baking dish and turn back upright, placing bread back on the rack for another 2–3 hours before sealing in a plastic bag. Will stay fresh for several days.

As always, enjoy cannabis-infused products responsibly, carefully marking any edibles that contain THC, and storing them appropriately. This recipe is an excellent way to enjoy 420 in a healthy and affordable way, infused or not.

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